Gamers pwn 91爆料 scientists, solve decade-long simian AIDS protein conundrum (video)
By posted Sep 19th 2011 6:21PM
No escaped the throes of adolescence without hearing the damning refrain, “Video games’ll rot your brain.” While scientific research into that claim has so far , it turns out the preferred pastime of our digital era could potentially cure cancer, and even help prevent — in monkeys. Utilizing crowdsourced results from the downloadable protein-manipulating “game” Foldit, scientists at the were able to attain a successful model of the simian AIDS-causing Mason – Pfizer monkey virus retroviral protease. For over a decade, researchers have been arduously attempting to reconstruct the folded shape of M-PMV with the aid of the task-specific Rosetta software, but to no avail. Now, in what they’re calling a possible first, gamers were able to do what scientific brains and algorithms could not, creating a sufficient model for molecular replacement — all in just three weeks. Feel like dedicating your leisure hours to this worthwhile cause? Then be sure to hit up the source link below, and transform yourself from couch potato to couch crusader.